Passports: Changing Information

Effective September 26,2005, as an additional fraud prevention measure, Passport Services will no longer amend currently valid passports. Instead, customers will be issued replacement passports. Regarding forms and timelines:

DS-5504, U.S. Passport Re-Application Form is a new form to be used within one year of passport issuance for name-changes and any other descriptive information changes, as well as for the extension of validity for limited passports and correction of any printing errors. The DS-5504 must be submitted with the passport to be replaced, the documentation required for the change, and new photos. There is no charge for routine processing of these changes. After one year of the passport issuance date, Form DS-82, Application for Passport by Mail, or Form DS-11, U.S. Passport Application, as appropriate, must be submitted and all applicable fees paid.

If Expedited Service is requested for any of the above, with the exception of an error by Passport Services, there is a charge (additional for DS-82s) of $60 per application. The additional purchase of two-way overnight delivery remains optional but is recommended if departure is imminent.

DS-19, Passport Amendment/Validation Form, previously used to amend passports, will no longer be valid.

Frequently Asked Questions on the No Amendment Policy

1.Why did the Department of State decide to stop amending existing passports?Not amending biographical data in passports will enhance the overall security of the document. Additionally, with the upcoming Electronic Passport (EP), the printed data must match the data contained on the chip embedded in the Electronic Passport.

2.Why can't you just rewrite over data on the chip?The chip is designed so that they can be written to only once. This is a security feature to prevent tampering with the document.

3. Can I still get visa pages added to my passport?Yes. You may request additional visa pages for current valid passports using form DS-4085, Application for Additional Visa Pages. There is no charge for routine service, which is receipt of the passport with pages added, within six (6) weeks of First Class mailing.If Expedited Service is requested there is a charge of $60 per application, plus the cost of two-way overnight delivery for receipt within two (2) weeks if applying at one of over 7,000 designated passport application acceptance facilities. For receipt in less than 2 weeks, customers should call 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment at one of 14 Passport Agencies across the U.S.

4. I just got my passport in my maiden name, so we could go on our honeymoon, but I plan to take my husband's surname after we get back. Do I have to apply for a new passport with my married name?

I have a valid passport, but I just got divorced, and my divorce decree includes the resumption of my maiden name. Do I have to apply for a new passport?

We just adopted our foster child, who has a valid passport in his birth surname. The adoption decree changes his surname to ours. Does he need a new passport?The answer to all three questions is "yes" because all citizens need to travel in their legal names. However, which form to use and the cost involved now differ, in part, based on timing.

Within the First Year

If your name changed, and it is still within one year of the date your passport was issued, you may obtain a free replacement passport. You must provide:

Form DS-5504, Passport Re-Application Form

The passport to be replaced;

Acceptable evidence of name-change, such as marriage/divorce/adoption decree; or court order of name change; and

Two recent passport photos

The replacement passport will have a new issue date and a full ten years' validity. There is no charge for routine service, which is your receipt of the replacement passport within six (6) weeks from the date you send the Form DS-5504 via First Class Mail. (Your replacement passport will be returned to you via Priority Mail.)

If Expedited Service is requested, there is a charge of $60 per application, plus the cost of two-way overnight delivery for receipt within 2 weeks. For receipt in less than 2 weeks, customers should call 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment at one of 14 Regional Passport Agencies across the U.S.

After One Year and Otherwise Eligible to Use Form DS-82

If you request a name-change more than one year after the issuance of your passport, and are otherwise eligible to use Form DS-82, you must provide:

Form DS-82, Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail;

The passport to be replaced;

Acceptable evidence of name-change, such as marriage/divorce/adoption decree; or Court order of name-change;

Appropriate fees; and

Two (2) recent passport photos.

Routine service is receipt of the new passport within 6 weeks after sending the above via First Class Mail If Expedited Service is requested, there is an aditional charge of $60 per application, plus the cost of two-way overnight delivery for receipt within two (2) weeks. For receipt in less than two (2) weeks, customers should call 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment at one of 14 Passport Agencies across the U.S.

After One Year and Not Otherwise Eligible to Use Form DS-82, Use Form DS-11

If you request a name-change more than one year after the issuance of your passport, and are not otherwise eligible to use Form DS-82, you must apply in person at one of 7,000+ designated passport application acceptance facilities. You must provide:

Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport;

The passport to be replaced;

Acceptable evidence of name change, such as marriage/divorce/adoption decree; or court order of name change;

Acceptable identification;

Appropriate fees;

Two (2) recent passport photos; and

Meet additional requirements for children under age 14.

Routine service is receipt of the new passport within six (6) weeks after application. If Expedited Service is requested, there is an additional charge of $60 per application, plus the cost of two-way overnight delivery for receipt within two (2) weeks. For receipt in less than two (2) weeks, customers should call 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment at one of 14 Passport Agencies across the U.S.

5. I was issued a limited passport (less than full 10-year validity for those 16 years and older; less than 5-year validity for those 15 and younger). How do I get it replaced with a fully valid passport?The same timeframes, forms, costs, and general requirements apply as indicated for #4. However, the documentation required for replacement with a new, fully valid passport depends upon the reason for limiting the original passport. Examples: 1) The customer was issued a limited passport in the U.S. to make his/her emergency trip, but more complete citizenship documentation is required for a fully valid passport, or 2) Due the loss or theft of a passport while traveling abroad, a U.S. Consulate issued a limited, non-digitized passport to facilitate re-entry into the U.S. (In these cases, customers are given instructions on how to reapply to obtain fully valid, digitized passports after they are back in the U.S.)

6. You misspelled my name on my passport. What do I need to do?

Within the First Year

For correction of any printing errors by Passport Services: If you notice a data error within one year of your passport's issue date, it may be replaced by submitting all of the following items:

Form DS-5504, Passport Re-Application Form;

Your passport containing the data error;

Acceptable evidence showing the correct data; and

Two (2) recent passport photos.

Your replacement passport will have a new number, issuance and expiration dates. All Passport Fees, including the Expedite Fee will be waived.

After One Year

If you notice the data error one year or longer after your passport's issue date, it may be replaced by submitting all of the following items:

Form DS-5504, Passport Re-Application Form;

Your passport containing the data error;

Acceptable evidence showing the correct data.

Two (2) recent passport photos.

You will receive a new passport number with a new issue date, but it will contain the original expiration date. All Passport Fees, including the Expedite Fee will be waived.

7. Why do I have to pay for some replacement passports after a year?We require that you apply for your free replacement within one year so that the new passport issuance and expiration dates will be as close to the original passport information as possible. After one year, you must pay for a new replacement passport to offset the processing costs of the new passport.

8. Do I have to appear in person to get a replacement passport?Generally no, you may send Form DS-5504, Passport Re-Application Form, your passport, and any required documents by mail to the address printed on the form. However, the time in relation to the original issuance date of the passport and the age of the customer may impact the personal appearance requirement. The specifics fall into varying categories as covered above. Also, if you are traveling in less than 2 weeks, you should call 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment at one of 14 Passport Agencies across the U.S. to ensure your new passport with the needed change/correction is issued in time for your trip.

9. What about replacement passports for minors? The same requirements apply to minors.

10. Will my old passport be returned if I apply for a replacement?Yes. Your old passport will be invalidated and returned with your new, replacement passport if it is not damaged or mutilated.